Habits. What do you think of when that word is mentioned? Smoking? Drinking alcohol? Playing video games around the clock? Constantly Facebooking? Biting fingernails?
It's strange, isn't it? The word "habit" usually brings to mind something not healthy for us or something we know we need to get control of in our lives.
However, habits can actually be GOOD things too. For example, brushing your teeth is a habit. Putting on your shoes before you go to work is a habit. Closing the toilet lid IS a habit!
So if that is the case, why do we always assume the worst when it comes to habits? I don't know. But I DO know that some habits are meant to be practiced - and practice them, we must.
For example, while reading the story of Daniel and the Lion's den one day, I noticed something about habits, I had not noticed before. King Darius had been tricked into signing a law that would jeopardize his precious servant's life. Some jealous leaders decided that Daniel had entirely too much power in their kingdom. After all, Daniel was supposed to be a slave. Yet, God had blessed him in captivity, and he had risen in the ranks to be one of he highest in command of Babylon. So, the high-ranking officials who were actually from Babylon, tricked the king into signing a law stating that anyone who prayed to another god besides the king, would be cast into the lion's den.
Pretty desperate times for Daniel. He had a choice to make. He could either continue to pray to God three times a day with his window open to Jerusalem as he had done in the past, or he could, in essence, save his life by not opening his window. He could still pray to God. He didn't HAVE to let others see. After all, he was in Babylon for a reason...a reason that would be for naught if he were to end up on the dinner menu for a bunch of lions.
Daniel 6:10 provides us with his decision in the midst of these grave circumstances: "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room with his windows opened towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."
There it is. Daniel's death penalty signed, sealed and delivered. God, however, had other things in mind. If you don't know what happened after that, make sure you find a Bible and read the rest of the story. It's amazing, to say the least.
But what I want to focus on, is the habit of Daniel - his "custom." As I said earlier, I had read this truth tale before, and I knew that in the face of danger, Daniel didn't cave. I also knew that it was Daniel's habit to pray three times a day with his windows open to Jerusalem. However, I didn't recognize Daniel's OTHER habit...his "custom since early days."
Thankfulness.
Scripture says, Daniel "prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." Can you imagine being in Daniel's position and actually being thankful? I think I found the answer. It's simple. Being thankful was his "custom" - his "habit." Even in the early days when he was taken captive as a teenage young man, shipped off to a foreign land away from his family, he was thankful, as was his custom. Being thankful was something that he chose to do...something that he chose to put into practice over and over again. He was in the habit of being thankful. So, when everything seemingly STOPPED going his way - when the circumstances changed - his habit carried him through. His "habitual practice; the usual way of acting in any given circumstances" continued, even in the midst of defying the king's orders and his own death penalty (Dictionary.com).
Daniel was thankful...habitually thankful.
Now, that's a habit that we, as Believers, need to instill in our lives. At least, I know that I do. When the trials come - and they will - I need to be thankful that God still has all under control. When the storms seem larger than life and threaten to swallow me whole - I need to be thankful that God never leaves me in the midst of them.
How about we create a new habit today...a really good one! Let's start by practicing thankfulness when we feel our temperature rising from annoyances, when we feel threatened and fearful, when our day just gets off on the wrong foot. Concentrate and find something to be thankful for in the midst of the chaos. Let's practice being thankful today, and tomorrow, and the next, until thankfulness becomes "a custom since early days" for us.
Thank You God, for my day. Thank You that I awoke from my sleep unharmed. Thank You that You will be with me today...throughout my whole day. Thank You for the hard things that I will encounter, as well as the joys that will hit me head on. Thanks for being in control of all of it. I begin this habit today...asking that You remind me of my promise to be thankful. I love You, Jesus. Thank You.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Child-Like Faith
Our family watched the movie Heaven is For Real, and afterward, I had a precious conversation with our youngest son. He was sitting at the table coloring a picture, while I was washing dinner dishes and trying desperately to clean up the kitchen before bed-time. Seemingly out of nowhere, my seven year old said that Jesus "told him things sometimes." Curious, of course, I asked, "What kind of things does Jesus tell you?" His answer surprised me: "To follow Him."
The song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" came flooding into my mind...the second verse especially: Though none go with me, still I will follow. Though none go with me, still I will follow. Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back. So I turned to Seth and said, "Well, Seth, what would happen if everyone else you knew chose NOT to follow Jesus?" To my surprise and delight, he nonchalantly replied: "Then I guess I would just be alone," and continued his coloring, completely unaware and undisturbed by the profoundness of his statement.
That's the beauty of a child-like faith, isn't it? Even as he spoke those last words, I felt a jump in my spirit. Surely he doesn't understand how horrible that would be? It would be lonely and sad and dark and dreary to be the only Believer on planet earth. It would be a difficult life, full of persecution and angry stares, possibly even blows.
And yet, my child didn't have to understand all of that. He just knew that he had to do what Jesus had said. He had to follow Him, period. No matter what.
We might simply put aside his child-like faith as ignorance, if it weren't for the fact that Jesus, Himself, said that we must not make light of a child's faith, but desire it above all else. As a matter of fact, Jesus calls child-like faith a necessity for the Christian. Matthew 18:1-4 says, "At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?' For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me'" (The Message - Emphasis mine).
Simple and elemental. I think that's my problem. I'm not simple and elemental when it comes to my my Christian walk. Like Peter in the storm, I look at my surroundings, instead of my Savior. I look at the things that surround me and respond to my circumstances. Peter would have walked on the water, all the way into the arms of Jesus, if he had simply not looked away.
Child-like faith wouldn't have looked away. It wouldn't have even acknowledged the very-real dangers in the presence of Christ.
Oh, but Adult-like faith would.
The difference is that Child-like faith would see the wonder of the Savior and be entranced with His gaze. Child-like faith would simply answer when He called, no matter the consequences. Child-like faith wouldn't try to figure out what to say to a non-believer about Jesus. Child-like faith would pray and trust that God would give him/her the words. Child-like faith wouldn't worry about the safety of their family. Child-like faith would ask for safety and then trust that God would provide. Child-like faith wouldn't be concerned about how hard life as a Believer is. Child-like faith would just be content to "be alone."
Father, I ask that You help me understand...no...not understand. Help me instead, to trust You, like a little child...without the worries and concerns. I'm not saying those things aren't there. I am saying You are in control of them. So I ask for child-like faith - faith that trusts Your every move...Your every turn...in every situation. May I learn to look at You and You, alone.
Thank You, Jesus...for listening and loving Your child.
The song, "I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" came flooding into my mind...the second verse especially: Though none go with me, still I will follow. Though none go with me, still I will follow. Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back. No turning back. So I turned to Seth and said, "Well, Seth, what would happen if everyone else you knew chose NOT to follow Jesus?" To my surprise and delight, he nonchalantly replied: "Then I guess I would just be alone," and continued his coloring, completely unaware and undisturbed by the profoundness of his statement.
That's the beauty of a child-like faith, isn't it? Even as he spoke those last words, I felt a jump in my spirit. Surely he doesn't understand how horrible that would be? It would be lonely and sad and dark and dreary to be the only Believer on planet earth. It would be a difficult life, full of persecution and angry stares, possibly even blows.
And yet, my child didn't have to understand all of that. He just knew that he had to do what Jesus had said. He had to follow Him, period. No matter what.
We might simply put aside his child-like faith as ignorance, if it weren't for the fact that Jesus, Himself, said that we must not make light of a child's faith, but desire it above all else. As a matter of fact, Jesus calls child-like faith a necessity for the Christian. Matthew 18:1-4 says, "At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, 'Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?' For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me'" (The Message - Emphasis mine).
Simple and elemental. I think that's my problem. I'm not simple and elemental when it comes to my my Christian walk. Like Peter in the storm, I look at my surroundings, instead of my Savior. I look at the things that surround me and respond to my circumstances. Peter would have walked on the water, all the way into the arms of Jesus, if he had simply not looked away.
Child-like faith wouldn't have looked away. It wouldn't have even acknowledged the very-real dangers in the presence of Christ.
Oh, but Adult-like faith would.
The difference is that Child-like faith would see the wonder of the Savior and be entranced with His gaze. Child-like faith would simply answer when He called, no matter the consequences. Child-like faith wouldn't try to figure out what to say to a non-believer about Jesus. Child-like faith would pray and trust that God would give him/her the words. Child-like faith wouldn't worry about the safety of their family. Child-like faith would ask for safety and then trust that God would provide. Child-like faith wouldn't be concerned about how hard life as a Believer is. Child-like faith would just be content to "be alone."
Father, I ask that You help me understand...no...not understand. Help me instead, to trust You, like a little child...without the worries and concerns. I'm not saying those things aren't there. I am saying You are in control of them. So I ask for child-like faith - faith that trusts Your every move...Your every turn...in every situation. May I learn to look at You and You, alone.
Thank You, Jesus...for listening and loving Your child.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Out of Sight - Out of Mind...Really?
Walking into the bathroom this morning, I noticed a small, crumbed piece of paper at the back of the trash can, wedged next to the wall. I'm sure you don't have those stray pieces of paper in your home...but I do. I looked at it and had a conversation with myself. One side of me thought it would be best to go ahead, bend down and pick up the trash. However, the other side conversed with my old joints and decided I could bend down and get it later. After all, it was early morning, and my body really wasn't awake yet.
I casually glanced away, pretending that I could trick myself into believing that the paper didn't exist. And for the most part, it worked. I walked out and the aggravating piece of trash disappeared from my memory. Out of sight - out of mind.
That is, until I returned to that room and "the thing" stood out like a sore thumb. It was still there. No Magic Bathroom Fairy had come and removed it. My bathroom was still unclean.
"What's the big deal," you might ask, "It's not like the piece of paper is going to multiply. It's not going to morph into some creature and attack you when you enter the room." That is true. It is JUST a single piece of dirty paper littering the floor. Hardly anyone can see it...but I know it's there. I see it every time I return, thinking to myself, "I really need to pick that up." I know the bathroom is not truly clean, unless that piece of paper somehow finds its way into the trashcan.
So, obviously, there IS a problem. That small, dirty little piece of paper has changed the way I feel about myself and my bathroom. And the silly thing is, all it would take for my confidence in myself to change and my bathroom to be truly clean would be simply the effort it takes to bend down, pick up the paper and put it where it belongs. My guilt would be gone and my bathroom clean.
That's a lot like our sin, isn't it? We come to God during our quiet times and as He prods us to confess that "little thing" - to pick it up and throw it into the trashcan - we turn away and pretend the sin isn't there. After all, it's not much It's not a BIG sin. It's a little white lie or a worry issue or our tendency to gossip about others. It's not really that bad. It just makes us uncomfortable to look at. We don't want to dwell on it, so we pretend it's not there. Sadly, in turn, we forfeit being freed and cleansed.
I John 4:9 is a verse used many times when witnessing to non-believers. However, it was actually written to Christians...yes, Christians: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Just like bending down and picking up that stray piece of paper - it's not hard to confess. We just have to acknowledge the sin is really there and agree with God that we did something wrong - something against Him. Then, we can enter our relationship time with the Father, without guilt or remorse or the pretense that everything is okay.
Jesus wants freedom in your relationship with Him today. He wants you to come boldly and joyfully into His presence and be free to walk with Him and talk with Him. He wants you to be pure and blameless, with no shame in your fellowship with your Father.
So let's stop pretending today. Let's stop ignoring the sins that hold our heart captive - the sins that dirty our conscience and mind. Let's confess before the Father the supposed hidden things that we don't want to have to acknowledge. Let's confess those things that no one else sees, but that bring guilt. Let's confess them and be cleansed, so that today, you and I can walk freely into the presence of our Father, with freedom and great joy.
I confess, Jesus, that I am in need of cleansing Dig deep into the hidden parts of my heart and spread light onto the things of darkness that I have chosen to ignore or try to hide from You. Help me confess them and then live freely in my relationship with You. Amen.
I casually glanced away, pretending that I could trick myself into believing that the paper didn't exist. And for the most part, it worked. I walked out and the aggravating piece of trash disappeared from my memory. Out of sight - out of mind.
That is, until I returned to that room and "the thing" stood out like a sore thumb. It was still there. No Magic Bathroom Fairy had come and removed it. My bathroom was still unclean.
"What's the big deal," you might ask, "It's not like the piece of paper is going to multiply. It's not going to morph into some creature and attack you when you enter the room." That is true. It is JUST a single piece of dirty paper littering the floor. Hardly anyone can see it...but I know it's there. I see it every time I return, thinking to myself, "I really need to pick that up." I know the bathroom is not truly clean, unless that piece of paper somehow finds its way into the trashcan.
So, obviously, there IS a problem. That small, dirty little piece of paper has changed the way I feel about myself and my bathroom. And the silly thing is, all it would take for my confidence in myself to change and my bathroom to be truly clean would be simply the effort it takes to bend down, pick up the paper and put it where it belongs. My guilt would be gone and my bathroom clean.
That's a lot like our sin, isn't it? We come to God during our quiet times and as He prods us to confess that "little thing" - to pick it up and throw it into the trashcan - we turn away and pretend the sin isn't there. After all, it's not much It's not a BIG sin. It's a little white lie or a worry issue or our tendency to gossip about others. It's not really that bad. It just makes us uncomfortable to look at. We don't want to dwell on it, so we pretend it's not there. Sadly, in turn, we forfeit being freed and cleansed.
I John 4:9 is a verse used many times when witnessing to non-believers. However, it was actually written to Christians...yes, Christians: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Just like bending down and picking up that stray piece of paper - it's not hard to confess. We just have to acknowledge the sin is really there and agree with God that we did something wrong - something against Him. Then, we can enter our relationship time with the Father, without guilt or remorse or the pretense that everything is okay.
Jesus wants freedom in your relationship with Him today. He wants you to come boldly and joyfully into His presence and be free to walk with Him and talk with Him. He wants you to be pure and blameless, with no shame in your fellowship with your Father.
So let's stop pretending today. Let's stop ignoring the sins that hold our heart captive - the sins that dirty our conscience and mind. Let's confess before the Father the supposed hidden things that we don't want to have to acknowledge. Let's confess those things that no one else sees, but that bring guilt. Let's confess them and be cleansed, so that today, you and I can walk freely into the presence of our Father, with freedom and great joy.
I confess, Jesus, that I am in need of cleansing Dig deep into the hidden parts of my heart and spread light onto the things of darkness that I have chosen to ignore or try to hide from You. Help me confess them and then live freely in my relationship with You. Amen.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Priceless and Precious
Imagine, you are in the market for an ornate piece of pottery to display over the fireplace in your home. It has to be useful, as well as beautiful. So, you head to the heart of Selma, NC to peruse through the quaint little antique stores lining the streets.
After several hours - or what seems like hours - you see an assortment of just the right items displayed in a store window. You cautiously push open the door. Much to your surprise and elation, you see an abundance of the items you need. Intricate pieces of pottery line the walls, price tags dangling from the shelves. Your heart races, as you check the prices, expecting to see a number far above what you can afford. However, the prices are far below what you ever expected.
Of course, you don't let the owner of the store see your excitement, so you casually pick up a piece here or there, making sure not to miss anything.
When you get to the back wall, you notice a small room with a sign overhead that says, "Clearance." Now, if you are anything like me, you immediately put aside any other thoughts of the lower priced items and head to the cheap stuff!
Immediately, you notice a difference. These items are damaged - seemingly beyond repair. These pieces are broken and shattered, lying everywhere, with bright orange price tags dangling from the shelving. Yet when you glance at these tags, you notice the price is exceedingly more expensive. As a matter of fact, these tags are ridiculously over-priced.
About that time, another customer enters the room. He proceeds to take each of the broken pieces off the shelf and place them into a shopping bag. Noticing that he has none of the "perfect" pieces in his bag, your curiosity gets the best of you. You ask, as politely as you can, "Sir, do you mind telling me why you are paying higher prices for things that are broken, when there are so many things in the other part of the store that are truly worth the money you are willing to pay? It just seems to me that you are not getting the best end of the deal. After all, this IS the clearance section."
He looks at you for a moment and then grins. His reply startles you: "Oh, on the contrary. I am getting the best deal of all. You see, these broken pieces...these seemingly worthless pieces of clearance pottery are the very basis of the work that I do. I take things that you would call trash and transform them into beautiful pieces of art. These things are needful to me. I cannot do what I need to do without them. So you see, the things that you merely see as broken, I see as priceless and precious."
You know, the whole of Scripture is brimming with people that the world viewed as broken and worthless, but God viewed as priceless and precious. He chose Matthew - a lying, cheating tax collector. He chose Jeremiah - a teenager with a self-esteem issue. He chose Isaiah - a man who confessed unclean lips. He chose Rahab - a prostitute. He chose David - a dirty, stinky shepherd boy. He chose Moses - a murderer. He chose Mary - a lower class teenager.
And then, believe it or not, He chose Belinda - a broken and dirty vessel...
Simply because He deemed me worth the price to pay. Jesus deemed me valuable and useful to His Kingdom.
So, the next time you look into the mirror and want to cry, because what you see is not perfect, and what you feel is anything but - say a prayer of thanksgiving. realizing that God uses the broken things...and people...to bring about His purposes and show His glory to the world around them. You are priceless and precious to Him, my friend. Priceless and precious.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Cor. 5:21
Thank You, Jesus, for deeming me priceless and precious and worth Your suffering. Thank You that You made me valuable. Thank You that You made me Yours. Amen.
After several hours - or what seems like hours - you see an assortment of just the right items displayed in a store window. You cautiously push open the door. Much to your surprise and elation, you see an abundance of the items you need. Intricate pieces of pottery line the walls, price tags dangling from the shelves. Your heart races, as you check the prices, expecting to see a number far above what you can afford. However, the prices are far below what you ever expected.
Of course, you don't let the owner of the store see your excitement, so you casually pick up a piece here or there, making sure not to miss anything.
When you get to the back wall, you notice a small room with a sign overhead that says, "Clearance." Now, if you are anything like me, you immediately put aside any other thoughts of the lower priced items and head to the cheap stuff!
Immediately, you notice a difference. These items are damaged - seemingly beyond repair. These pieces are broken and shattered, lying everywhere, with bright orange price tags dangling from the shelving. Yet when you glance at these tags, you notice the price is exceedingly more expensive. As a matter of fact, these tags are ridiculously over-priced.
About that time, another customer enters the room. He proceeds to take each of the broken pieces off the shelf and place them into a shopping bag. Noticing that he has none of the "perfect" pieces in his bag, your curiosity gets the best of you. You ask, as politely as you can, "Sir, do you mind telling me why you are paying higher prices for things that are broken, when there are so many things in the other part of the store that are truly worth the money you are willing to pay? It just seems to me that you are not getting the best end of the deal. After all, this IS the clearance section."
He looks at you for a moment and then grins. His reply startles you: "Oh, on the contrary. I am getting the best deal of all. You see, these broken pieces...these seemingly worthless pieces of clearance pottery are the very basis of the work that I do. I take things that you would call trash and transform them into beautiful pieces of art. These things are needful to me. I cannot do what I need to do without them. So you see, the things that you merely see as broken, I see as priceless and precious."
You know, the whole of Scripture is brimming with people that the world viewed as broken and worthless, but God viewed as priceless and precious. He chose Matthew - a lying, cheating tax collector. He chose Jeremiah - a teenager with a self-esteem issue. He chose Isaiah - a man who confessed unclean lips. He chose Rahab - a prostitute. He chose David - a dirty, stinky shepherd boy. He chose Moses - a murderer. He chose Mary - a lower class teenager.
And then, believe it or not, He chose Belinda - a broken and dirty vessel...
Simply because He deemed me worth the price to pay. Jesus deemed me valuable and useful to His Kingdom.
So, the next time you look into the mirror and want to cry, because what you see is not perfect, and what you feel is anything but - say a prayer of thanksgiving. realizing that God uses the broken things...and people...to bring about His purposes and show His glory to the world around them. You are priceless and precious to Him, my friend. Priceless and precious.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. II Cor. 5:21
Thank You, Jesus, for deeming me priceless and precious and worth Your suffering. Thank You that You made me valuable. Thank You that You made me Yours. Amen.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Tearing Down is Mindless, but Building Up Takes Work
A few years ago, I had the glorious "opportunity" to tear my house apart...literally! We had some issues with our flooring that necessitated ripping out the entire downstairs area, right down to the studs. Nail by nail, board by board, we ripped and sawed, tore and removed, ached and hurt all over. But with the help of some wonderful friends, we finally accomplished our task and got the house put back together.
I actually ENJOYED demolition. Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was also mindless. I could go in, grab a hammer and start hacking away at the flooring, not bothering to think about the damage that was being done. Nails could be bent. Boards could be broken, and all the while, I could think about something totally different. Yes, it was tiring and incredibly exhausting, but euphorically mindless.
However, when we started putting the house back together, my endless thoughts and mental wanderings were no longer a luxury I could afford. Mindlessness became dangerous. Boards had to be cut with precision. Each nail had its place. Every angle had to fit perfectly with it's counterpart. Mindlessness would have meant ruin...or at least a really rough-looking downstairs area.
To me, rebuilding was so much harder. The physically demanding labor wasn't as difficult as in demolition, but there was definitely more mental work that had to take place...at least on my part.
So, when I read Proverbs 14:1 which says, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands," I had a new perspective on what it meant.
Tearing down is mindless. Building up is work.
In my mind, the foolish woman rushes in, and in her anger, responds to her children and her husband with no thought of the consequences. She berates them and disrespects them. She treats them like they are no more than mere inconveniences in her day.
The foolish woman chooses to complain and gripe when things don't go her way. She gets irritated and SAYS SO when the things that she has planned are interrupted.
The foolish woman chooses to pick up her cell phone or play games on her computer, rather than attending to the needs of her family, not ever realizing that her children and her husband are drifting further and further away...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
The wise woman, on the other hand, responds to her building anger with patience. She holds her tongue, when she has the overwhelming desire to fight back or argue. Her answers are gentle and do not provoke. Her encouraging words to her kids and husband are frequent and aptly spoken.
The wise woman chooses NOT to complain and gripe, but chooses to think of ways to fix problems and help others learn how to fix them, as well. She makes an effort to keep from degrading her husband and children with her hurtful words. She chooses thankfulness and gratitude, when what she feels is grumpiness and irritability.
The wise woman chooses to limit her phone and computer usage. She chooses to NOT use it as an escape from the reality of her house that needs cleaning or her kids that need dinner. Phone time and computer time become a privilege, instead of a priority...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
I would LOVE to say that I always exhibit the wise woman in my relationships with my kids and my husband. I would LOVE to say that I never get frustrated with my family and the things in my house! I would LOVE to say that I have never used my computer as an escape from a dirty kitchen. I would LOVE to say that I have always built my home, instead of tearing it down, but I can't.
But what I can say, is that with God's grace and mercy and ever-presentness in my life, I am choosing to rest in His ability to make me that wise woman. I am choosing to see that too often I get lulled into the ordinary and don't realize the damage - the tearing down - I'm doing to my home and my family. With His leading, I am choosing to NOT to become too familiar with my kids and husband and forget what incredible gifts they are. With God's help, I am choosing to NOT forget the responsibilities I have been given to love them actively.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe just today you find yourself tearing down instead of building up. Can I just tell you - there is hope. This vicious cycle does not have to consume your life. You CAN be the wise woman. You CAN cement your relationship with your kids and your husband back together. You CAN choose to build up, rather than tear down.
How? Well, first and foremost, you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness. Confess to Him your inability to do this on your own. Ask Him to help you control your tongue and be patient with your words. Ask Him to guard your mouth and your time...to put a door over your lips and your cell phone case.
Secondly, you make it right with your family, if need be. Apologize for the hurtful words and the lack of loving attention you have given. Ask your kids - and your husband - to pray for you. Yes, I said ask your kids to pray for you! You'd be surprised how this works!
And then thirdly, don't be lazy. Don't just "allow" life to happen. Don't be content to be mindless, but be intentional about what you do and say. Be a builder...for tearing down is mindless, but building up takes work.
Dearest Jesus, help me with this today. I want to be wise. I want to build, Jesus. I want to build. Thank You that You want me to build, as well. I love You, Jesus.
I actually ENJOYED demolition. Yes, it was a lot of work, but it was also mindless. I could go in, grab a hammer and start hacking away at the flooring, not bothering to think about the damage that was being done. Nails could be bent. Boards could be broken, and all the while, I could think about something totally different. Yes, it was tiring and incredibly exhausting, but euphorically mindless.
However, when we started putting the house back together, my endless thoughts and mental wanderings were no longer a luxury I could afford. Mindlessness became dangerous. Boards had to be cut with precision. Each nail had its place. Every angle had to fit perfectly with it's counterpart. Mindlessness would have meant ruin...or at least a really rough-looking downstairs area.
To me, rebuilding was so much harder. The physically demanding labor wasn't as difficult as in demolition, but there was definitely more mental work that had to take place...at least on my part.
So, when I read Proverbs 14:1 which says, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands," I had a new perspective on what it meant.
Tearing down is mindless. Building up is work.
In my mind, the foolish woman rushes in, and in her anger, responds to her children and her husband with no thought of the consequences. She berates them and disrespects them. She treats them like they are no more than mere inconveniences in her day.
The foolish woman chooses to complain and gripe when things don't go her way. She gets irritated and SAYS SO when the things that she has planned are interrupted.
The foolish woman chooses to pick up her cell phone or play games on her computer, rather than attending to the needs of her family, not ever realizing that her children and her husband are drifting further and further away...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
The wise woman, on the other hand, responds to her building anger with patience. She holds her tongue, when she has the overwhelming desire to fight back or argue. Her answers are gentle and do not provoke. Her encouraging words to her kids and husband are frequent and aptly spoken.
The wise woman chooses NOT to complain and gripe, but chooses to think of ways to fix problems and help others learn how to fix them, as well. She makes an effort to keep from degrading her husband and children with her hurtful words. She chooses thankfulness and gratitude, when what she feels is grumpiness and irritability.
The wise woman chooses to limit her phone and computer usage. She chooses to NOT use it as an escape from the reality of her house that needs cleaning or her kids that need dinner. Phone time and computer time become a privilege, instead of a priority...
...for tearing down is mindless. Building up takes work.
I would LOVE to say that I always exhibit the wise woman in my relationships with my kids and my husband. I would LOVE to say that I never get frustrated with my family and the things in my house! I would LOVE to say that I have never used my computer as an escape from a dirty kitchen. I would LOVE to say that I have always built my home, instead of tearing it down, but I can't.
But what I can say, is that with God's grace and mercy and ever-presentness in my life, I am choosing to rest in His ability to make me that wise woman. I am choosing to see that too often I get lulled into the ordinary and don't realize the damage - the tearing down - I'm doing to my home and my family. With His leading, I am choosing to NOT to become too familiar with my kids and husband and forget what incredible gifts they are. With God's help, I am choosing to NOT forget the responsibilities I have been given to love them actively.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe just today you find yourself tearing down instead of building up. Can I just tell you - there is hope. This vicious cycle does not have to consume your life. You CAN be the wise woman. You CAN cement your relationship with your kids and your husband back together. You CAN choose to build up, rather than tear down.
How? Well, first and foremost, you go to God and ask Him for forgiveness. Confess to Him your inability to do this on your own. Ask Him to help you control your tongue and be patient with your words. Ask Him to guard your mouth and your time...to put a door over your lips and your cell phone case.
Secondly, you make it right with your family, if need be. Apologize for the hurtful words and the lack of loving attention you have given. Ask your kids - and your husband - to pray for you. Yes, I said ask your kids to pray for you! You'd be surprised how this works!
And then thirdly, don't be lazy. Don't just "allow" life to happen. Don't be content to be mindless, but be intentional about what you do and say. Be a builder...for tearing down is mindless, but building up takes work.
Dearest Jesus, help me with this today. I want to be wise. I want to build, Jesus. I want to build. Thank You that You want me to build, as well. I love You, Jesus.
Monday, July 7, 2014
His Glorious Affection
"Affection"
That's one of the words my husband used to describe the feeling when John met Jesus in Revelation 1:12-17. I didn't get it at first. I just couldn't see how John falling on his face as dead created any kind of affection. HOWEVER, the more I thought about the exchange, the more my own affection for Jesus began to blossom and grow.
You really need to read it. The description of the glorified Christ is extremely detailed, and Scripture says that when John beheld Jesus in that manner, he literally "fell at His feet as dead."
I found this very intriguing. You see, John knew Jesus...I mean, really KNEW Jesus. He had walked with Him down miles of dirty, dusty roads. He had seen Him sweaty and probably stinky (yes, Jesus was human). John had seen Jesus coated in dust from head to toe and had even seen Him transfigured in His glorified state.
Yet, the Jesus he sees here in Revelation is not like anyone he'd ever seen before. For in this moment, John sees Jesus as HIS GOD, and John's response tells it all. Scripture says that the image of Jesus shocked John so badly that he "fell at His feet as dead" (v.17).
Now...the meeting between the two could have ended just like that - with John on his face and with Jesus then immediately beginning to say, "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (Rev. 18,19). I would have been fine with that. Yep, that is the GOD I serve.
Yet, Jesus was not fine with that. He didn't want John to see Him just as the powerful, amazing, could-squash-you-like-a-bug God. He wanted John to see Him as SOOO much more.
So, in the latter part of vs. 17, John says that "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid...."
"Do not be afraid...."
I have a question for you. As parents, what do we do when our children have a bad dream? How do we comfort them? We immediately rush to their sides and assure them. We take them in our arms and hold them close, saying, "It's okay. You don't have to be afraid. I am here."
That's exactly what Jesus did with John. Instead of gloating in the fact that this tiny, insignificant human responded appropriately to His presence, Jesus came to John. Reaching down, He touched Him with His right hand and said, "It's okay. I'm here. There's nothing to be afraid of" (paraphrase, mine).
How beautiful is that!?! The God of the universe - deserving of all the honor and glory - reaches down and comforts His child as a perfect Father/Friend would. You know, He doesn't desire our "fear" in the "big-scary-monster" way. He desires for us to see Him as He is - God...Father...Friend.
"Affection."
I get it now...and it makes me love Him all the more.
Thank You, Jesus, for making Yourself known. Thank You for reaching out to me through Your Word and Your world. Thank You for desiring a relationship with me...me...of all people. I love You, Lord. I really do.
That's one of the words my husband used to describe the feeling when John met Jesus in Revelation 1:12-17. I didn't get it at first. I just couldn't see how John falling on his face as dead created any kind of affection. HOWEVER, the more I thought about the exchange, the more my own affection for Jesus began to blossom and grow.
You really need to read it. The description of the glorified Christ is extremely detailed, and Scripture says that when John beheld Jesus in that manner, he literally "fell at His feet as dead."
I found this very intriguing. You see, John knew Jesus...I mean, really KNEW Jesus. He had walked with Him down miles of dirty, dusty roads. He had seen Him sweaty and probably stinky (yes, Jesus was human). John had seen Jesus coated in dust from head to toe and had even seen Him transfigured in His glorified state.
Yet, the Jesus he sees here in Revelation is not like anyone he'd ever seen before. For in this moment, John sees Jesus as HIS GOD, and John's response tells it all. Scripture says that the image of Jesus shocked John so badly that he "fell at His feet as dead" (v.17).
Now...the meeting between the two could have ended just like that - with John on his face and with Jesus then immediately beginning to say, "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this" (Rev. 18,19). I would have been fine with that. Yep, that is the GOD I serve.
Yet, Jesus was not fine with that. He didn't want John to see Him just as the powerful, amazing, could-squash-you-like-a-bug God. He wanted John to see Him as SOOO much more.
So, in the latter part of vs. 17, John says that "He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid...."
"Do not be afraid...."
I have a question for you. As parents, what do we do when our children have a bad dream? How do we comfort them? We immediately rush to their sides and assure them. We take them in our arms and hold them close, saying, "It's okay. You don't have to be afraid. I am here."
That's exactly what Jesus did with John. Instead of gloating in the fact that this tiny, insignificant human responded appropriately to His presence, Jesus came to John. Reaching down, He touched Him with His right hand and said, "It's okay. I'm here. There's nothing to be afraid of" (paraphrase, mine).
How beautiful is that!?! The God of the universe - deserving of all the honor and glory - reaches down and comforts His child as a perfect Father/Friend would. You know, He doesn't desire our "fear" in the "big-scary-monster" way. He desires for us to see Him as He is - God...Father...Friend.
"Affection."
I get it now...and it makes me love Him all the more.
Thank You, Jesus, for making Yourself known. Thank You for reaching out to me through Your Word and Your world. Thank You for desiring a relationship with me...me...of all people. I love You, Lord. I really do.
Monday, June 23, 2014
God's Revelation to John...and Me
I've never been much of a history buff. Well, at least not until I got older and started homeschooling my children. Now, I can't seem to get enough. The "How's and Why's" of time are fascinating to me, along with the "Who's and What's."
So, it's no wonder when we started studying the book of Revelation a few Sundays ago, my interest in the history behind the book was piqued. I've been fascinated by what I have found about the man John the Apostle and the seemingly hopeless situation he was in.
You see, the Roman Emperor Domitian - who believed he was god and demanded to be worshiped in that manner - hated the Christians. Because of this, it wasn't a surprise that when he caught wind of John the Apostle and his teachings of Christ, he had the old man forcibly taken out of his home and dragged to Rome to undergo trial. The Apostle was convicted of not bowing before Domitian and ordered to be put into a vat of boiling oil.
"Wait a minute," you might say, "I thought John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his punishment?" To which I would say, "Yes, he was." "So how was he banished if he died in a vat of boiling oil?" you reply. To which I would say with a grin on my face, "Because he didn't die in the vat of oil. He walked out of it unharmed."
Now, this event is not recorded in Scripture, but it is recorded by other historians as fact. One of these historians, Tertullian, was known for his accuracy in recording historical events, so the miracle that happened in the life of John that day, is in fact, accurate history.
So how could a ruler, who wished to silence the Christian voice of John the Apostle, do so, if he couldn't kill him? The answer was simple. He would send John away from everything and everyone so that his testimony could be contained, and what better place for containment than an island!
Sounds like an evil plan, doesn't it? Yes, but what Satan and men mean for evil, God means for good (Gen. 50:20). He takes those things that threaten our very lives...the things that send us reeling emotionally...the things that isolate us from those we love...the things that seem utterly hopeless and then He uses them to accomplish His purposes in us. Do we see it at the time? Unfortunately, most of the time we don't. We tend to get bogged down in our lives, moment by moment and don't see the big picture. And yet, God takes those moment by moment circumstances and blends them together beautifully, creating a tapestry far more intriguing and wonderful than anything we could ever expect.
How do I know? Well, Scripture cites Truth after Truth of this happening, and Revelation is just one example. For instance, was it a good thing that John was taken from his home, put in a vat of boiling oil, and then exiled to an island? If you were here with me right now, you would hear me emphatically say, with both eyebrows raised, "YES!"
Sounds strange, doesn't it? But in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most! Let me repeat that...in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most!
Domitian's evil plan didn't stop John from spreading the Word of God. It didn't silence his voice. Instead, it created the avenue for the Word - the final chapter of the life of the Believer and the non-believer - to be birthed into existence. Domitian created the avenue for Christians in John's day, as well as Believers today, to have hope in the coming of Jesus. In other words, he shot himself in the foot...or cut off his nose despite his face...however you want to put it! What Domitian intended for evil, God used for good...much good!
So if you find yourself today, persecuted and uncomfortable...if you find yourself being bullied and badgered for being a Believer...if you find yourself today isolated and alone because of your belief in Christ, suffering at the hands of non-believers...Remember. Sometimes God reveals Himself the most in the "supposed" darkest hours.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for being my God...for speaking the most, revealing Yourself the most to me, during the "supposed" darkest times. You are awesome. You truly are.
So, it's no wonder when we started studying the book of Revelation a few Sundays ago, my interest in the history behind the book was piqued. I've been fascinated by what I have found about the man John the Apostle and the seemingly hopeless situation he was in.
You see, the Roman Emperor Domitian - who believed he was god and demanded to be worshiped in that manner - hated the Christians. Because of this, it wasn't a surprise that when he caught wind of John the Apostle and his teachings of Christ, he had the old man forcibly taken out of his home and dragged to Rome to undergo trial. The Apostle was convicted of not bowing before Domitian and ordered to be put into a vat of boiling oil.
"Wait a minute," you might say, "I thought John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his punishment?" To which I would say, "Yes, he was." "So how was he banished if he died in a vat of boiling oil?" you reply. To which I would say with a grin on my face, "Because he didn't die in the vat of oil. He walked out of it unharmed."
Now, this event is not recorded in Scripture, but it is recorded by other historians as fact. One of these historians, Tertullian, was known for his accuracy in recording historical events, so the miracle that happened in the life of John that day, is in fact, accurate history.
So how could a ruler, who wished to silence the Christian voice of John the Apostle, do so, if he couldn't kill him? The answer was simple. He would send John away from everything and everyone so that his testimony could be contained, and what better place for containment than an island!
Sounds like an evil plan, doesn't it? Yes, but what Satan and men mean for evil, God means for good (Gen. 50:20). He takes those things that threaten our very lives...the things that send us reeling emotionally...the things that isolate us from those we love...the things that seem utterly hopeless and then He uses them to accomplish His purposes in us. Do we see it at the time? Unfortunately, most of the time we don't. We tend to get bogged down in our lives, moment by moment and don't see the big picture. And yet, God takes those moment by moment circumstances and blends them together beautifully, creating a tapestry far more intriguing and wonderful than anything we could ever expect.
How do I know? Well, Scripture cites Truth after Truth of this happening, and Revelation is just one example. For instance, was it a good thing that John was taken from his home, put in a vat of boiling oil, and then exiled to an island? If you were here with me right now, you would hear me emphatically say, with both eyebrows raised, "YES!"
Sounds strange, doesn't it? But in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most! Let me repeat that...in John's "supposed" darkest hour, God revealed Himself the most!
Domitian's evil plan didn't stop John from spreading the Word of God. It didn't silence his voice. Instead, it created the avenue for the Word - the final chapter of the life of the Believer and the non-believer - to be birthed into existence. Domitian created the avenue for Christians in John's day, as well as Believers today, to have hope in the coming of Jesus. In other words, he shot himself in the foot...or cut off his nose despite his face...however you want to put it! What Domitian intended for evil, God used for good...much good!
So if you find yourself today, persecuted and uncomfortable...if you find yourself being bullied and badgered for being a Believer...if you find yourself today isolated and alone because of your belief in Christ, suffering at the hands of non-believers...Remember. Sometimes God reveals Himself the most in the "supposed" darkest hours.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for being my God...for speaking the most, revealing Yourself the most to me, during the "supposed" darkest times. You are awesome. You truly are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)